Dispensing machine for refrigerated pre-mixed drinks



y 3, 958 B. A. ANDREWS ETAL 2,834,190

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR REFRiGERATED P'RE-MIXED DRINKS Filed Nov. 19,1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wm W; N w M 5% w w 7 M, WA w a x W .0 M f 9. nWmunndnunuhu w n w m u w M .m 9% 0/0 a 5 a y 13, 1953 B. A. ANDREWS ETAL2,834,190

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATED PRE-MIXED DRINKS Filed Nov. 19, 19562 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5. Bo/ey A. 14/74761445 Theodore #00500DISPENSING MACHINE FOR REFRIGERATED PRE-MIXED DRINKS Boley A. Andrews,Mission, Kane, and Theodore L. Hanson, Kansas City, Mo assignors to TheVendo Company, Kansas City, M0., a corporation of Missouri ApplicationNovember 19, 1956, Serial No. 623,122

7 Claims. (Cl. 62-7) This invention relates generally to the field ofvending machines, and, more particularly, to improved apparatus for thevending of pre-rnixed, carbonated beverages.

The objects of this invention are to provide improved apparatus for thevending of pre-mixed, carbonated beverages from at least a pair ofcontainers introduced into the apparatus with the beverage material atambient temperatures with the apparatus remaining inoperative until thebeverage material in at least one of the containers has been cooled to apredetermined temperature level and with automatic switch over from onecontainer to the other after the first has been substantially exhaustedof beverage material and the other has had the material therein cooledto the mentioned predetermined temperature level.

Other important objects of the invention, including certain significantdetails of construction, will be made clear or become apparent as thefollowing description of the invention progresses.

It should be pointed out that the invention also con templates as amongits objectives the applicability of certain of its principles toapparatus other than vending machines in which the temperature level offluid material within one or more containers must be altered to apredetermined, desired level and the fluid material then delivered to apoint of utilization thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic representation of certain of the primaryelements of the thermal hydraulic and electrical combinationcontemplated by the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vending machine cabinet with theaccess door thereof open showing the contemplated arrangement therein ofcertain of the elements of the combination involved in the invention;and

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the entire electrical andhydraulic system contemplated as constituting a preferred form of theinvention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral generally designates avending machine cabinet having an access door 12 thereon by which accessmay be had to an internal, thermally insulated compartment 14.Compartment 14 is adapted to receive therewithin a carbon dioxidecontaining tank 16 and at least a pair of containers 18 and 20 eachhaving therein a quantity of premixed carbonated beverage material. Adispensing spigot 22 is provided on the door 12 for dispensing materialinto cups not shown from a cup storing and dispensing device generallydesignated 24 also mounted on door 12.

The carbon dioxide tank 16 is replaceable and is releasably coupled withthe product container 18 by a line 26 and with the product container 20by a line 28. The product container 18 is in turn coupled by areleasably connected branch section line 30 of conduit means 32 having acommon section 34 with the spigot 22, product container 20 being in likemanner coupled through a branch section line 36 and the common section34 with the spigot 22. interposed; in branch section 30 is anelectrically responsive control valve 38 provided with an operatingsolenoid 40, while a control valve 42having an operating solenoid 44 isinterposed in branch section 36. interposed in the common section 34 isa-dispens-' ing valve 46 having an operating solenoid 48. 7

It will be understood that the beverage containing product containers 18and 20 are replaceable within the compartment 14 by virtue of thereleasable connections between same and the lines 26 and 28 and thebranch conduit sections 30 and 36 associated therewith.

A refrigeration system generally designated by the numeral 50 is alsoprovided within. cabinet 10 and includes a cooling coil or element 52disposed in heat exchanging relationship with the air contained withincompartment 14. Refrigeration system 50 thus functions to maintain theinterior of compartment 14 at a temperature substantially below thenormal ambient temperature of beverage material within the productcontainers 18 and 20 at the time that same are introduced into thecompartment 14.

By virtue of the heat conductive nature of the product containers 18 and20, it will be clear that the temperature of beverage materialtherewithin will be cooled to'and maintained at a predetermined levelnormally below the mentioned ambient temperature thereof at the time ofintroduction of such containers 18 and 20 into thecompartment 14.

Operably associated with each of the product containers 18 and 20respectively are thermally responsive electrical switching assemblies 54and 56, it being understood that such devices 54 and 56 are releasablymountable on the containers 18 and 20 and are adapted for operating theelectrical switches forming a part thereof and more particularlyhereinafter described, responsive to cooling of the liquid beveragematerial within the corresponding container 18 or 20 to a predetermined,desired level. Other conventional vending machine components,

including a waste tank 58 and certain coin handling and relatedmechanisms (not shown in Figs. 1 and'2) will normally be provided.

Referring now to the comprehensive schematic diagram of Fig. 3, thevarious parts and their operable interconnections will first bedescribed, then the manner of their cooperative operation discussed.

From the hydraulic point of View, it will be seen'that the connectionsare as above-described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, except that aflow regulator 60 will normally be interposed in the common section 34of conduit dispensing I 32 between the branches 30 and 36 and the valve46.

A pair of terminals and 102 adapted for connection with a source ofelectrical power are shown, terminal 102 being grounded as at 104.Terminal 100 is coupled I through a conductor 106, a conductor 108, anda conductor with one side of a normally open, thermostaticallycontrolled single pole, single throw, electrical switch 62 forming apart of the thermally responsive device 54 and through conductors 106and 108 with one side of a similar switch 64 forming a part of thethermally responsive device 56. The opposite side of the switch 62 iscoupled through a conductor 112 with one side of a normally closed,single pole, single throw electrical switch 66 forming a part of acounter switch mechanism 68 having an operating solenoid 70. The

opposite side of switch 64 is similarly coupled through a conductor 114with one side of a normally closed, single 1 pole, single throw switch72 forming a part of a counter K switching mechanism 74 having anoperating solenoid 76.

There is provided a first'control or temperature selector relay 78having an operating solenoid 80, a normally closed, single pole, singlethrow switch 82, anormally: open, single pole, single throw switch 84,and a pair of single pole, double throw switches 86 and 88. In likemanner there is provided a control or temperature se- Patented May 13,1958 lector relay 90 having an operating coil 92, a normally closed,single pole, single throw switch 94, a normally open single pole, singlethrow switch 96, a normally closed single pole, single throw switch 98,and a normally open single pole, single throw switch 99.

The side of counter switch 66 opposite conductor 112 is. coupled througha conductor 116, normally closed relay switch 94 of relay 90 and aconductor 118 with one side of the operating coil 80 of relay 78 whoseopposite side is grounded as at 120. The side of counter switch 72opposite conductor 114 is coupled through a conductor 122, normallyclosed switch 82 of relay 78, and a conductor 124 with one side ofoperating coil 92 of relay 90, the other side of which is grounded as at126.

It will be understood that the thermally responsive switching means 54,the counter switching means 68, and the control relay 78, all correspondto or are functionally associated with the product container 18, whilethe thermally responsive switching device 56, the counter switchingdevice 74 and the relay 9! are similarly associated with the productcontainer 20. Obviously, the valve 38 is likewise associated with theproduct container 18, while the valve 42 is associated withthe productcontainer 20.

The apparatus further includes a timer switching mechanism generallydesignated 200 including an operating motor 202 and (regarding as normalthat condition thereof existing when the timer 200 is in stand-bycondition between operative cycles thereof) a normally open, singlepole, single throw switch 204, a normally closed single pole, singlethrow switch 206, a normally open single pole, single throw switch 208,a normally closed single pole, single throw switch 210, a normally opensingle pole, single throw switch 212, a normally open single pole,single throw switch 214, and a normally open single pole, single throwswitch 216, which switches it will be understood are operated inpredetermined sequence by cam means associated with the motor 202 andindicated generally by the dotted line 218, as hereinafter moreparticularly described.

One side of the valve operating solenoid 40 is grounded as at 128 andoppositely connected through a conductor 130, normally open switch 214of timer 200, a conductor 132, the normally open portion of switch 86 ofrelay 78, a conductor 134, a conductor 136, and the conductor 106 withthe power terminal 100. Similarly, one side of the operating solenoid 44for valve 42 is grounded as at 138 and oppositely connected through a.conductor 140, the normally open switch 216 of timer 200, a conductor142, the normally open switch 99 of relay 90, a conductor 144, and theconductor 106 with power terminal 100.

The operating coil 48 of dispensing valve 46 has one side thereofgrounded as at 146 and the opposite side thereof coupled through aconductor 148, normally closed switch 210 of timer 200, a conductor 150,normally open switch 208 of timer 200, a conductor 152, and theconductors 136 and 106 with power terminal 100.

A cup dropping solenoid 220 forming a part of the cup handling assembly24 is grounded at one side thereof as at 154 and oppositely connectedthrough a conductor 156, the normally open switch 212 of timer 200, aconductor 158, and conductors 136 and 106 with the power terminal 100.Conductor 156 coupled with the ungrounded side of the cup droppingsolenoid 220 is also connected through a conductor 160 with the movablepole piece of double throw switch 88 of relay '78 by which it isnormally (that is, when the relay operating coil 80 is energized)coupled, through a conductor 162 with one side of the operating coil 76of counter switching device 74, the opposite side of operating coil 76being grounded as at 164. When the operating coil 80 of relay 78 isenergized, the pole piece of switch 88 shifts to efiect a connectionbetween the mentioned conductor 160 and a conductor 166 (instead of theconductor 162),

. 4 V which conductor 166 is coupled with one side of the operating coilof the counter switching device 68 whose opposite side is grounded as at168.

The coin mechanism provided as a part of the apparatus is generallydesignated by the numeral 300 and includes a single pole, double throwcoin tube switch 302 whose position is reversible when a supply of coinsmaintained for change making purposes is exhausted, a coin operable,single pole, double throw switch 304 which is responsive to a depositedcoin to momentarily shift its position, and a pair of coin rejectingsolenoid actuated assemblies 306 and 308 associated with the coinreceiving chutes (not shown) conventionally forming a part of the coinhandling apparatus 300.

Other components of the apparatus include a holding relay generallydesignated 310 having an operating coil 312, a single pole, doublethrowswitch 314, and a normally open, single pole, single throw switch316; an indicating lamp 320 for advising potential customers thatcorrect change only must be used in operating the apparatus; and anindicating lamp 322 for advising potential customers that the apparatusis sold out and inoperative. It is also noted that a single pole, doublethrow switch 330 is normally associated with the cup handling assembly24 as a part thereof and has a normal position when cups (not shown) areavailable within the assembly 24 and a different position when thesupply of cups has been exhausted.

A power circuit is provided from power terminal through conductors 106and 136, a conductor 170, normally closed switch 206 of timer 200, aconductor 172 normally closed aspect of coin switch 304, a conductor174, the normally closed aspect of switch 314 of holding relay 310, aconductor 176, the normally closed aspect of cup assembly switch 330, aconductor 178, either switch 84 of relay 78 when closed or a conductorand switch 96 of relay 90 when closed, a conductor 182 and a conductor184 to one side of the coin reject operating solenoid 306, the oppositeside of which is grounded as at 186. It will be understood that thesolenoid 306 rejects coins when deenergized and clears the coin chutefor reception of deposited coins when energized. The mentioned circuitalso is adapted to energize the coin rejecting solenoid 308 through aconductor 188 coupling one side thereof with the conductor 182 and aconductor 190 coupling the opposite side thereof with ground as at 192through the normally closed phase of the coin tube switch 302. Assumingthat the apparatus is adapted for vending a single drink of beverage forfive cents and that the coin handling mechanism 300 is adapted foraccepting either the correct change of one nickel or accepting a dimeand returning a nickel of change when the supply of change makingnickels in the coin tube is not exhausted, the solenoid 306 would beassociated with the nickel receiving coin chute and the solenoid 308associated with the dime receiving coin chute. It will be noted thatwhen the change making nickels within the coin tube are exhausted, theswitch 302 moves to its opposite position breaking the energizingcircuit for coin rejecting solenoid 308 to deenergize the latter andblocking the dime receiving chute; simultaneously, a shifting of thecoin tube switch 302 closes an energizing circuit for the correct changeindicating lamp 320 leading from the above-mentoned conductor 182through a conductor 194, the lamp 320, a conductor 196 and the thenclosed coin tube 302 to ground as at 192.

The normally closed phase of relay switch 86 of relay 78 continuesoppositely from the conductor 134 through switch 86, a conductor 197,the normally closed switch 98 of relay 90, a conductor 198 and aconductor 199 to the sold-out indicating lamp 322, which is oppositelygrounded as at 195.

The normally open phase of the cup dropper switch 75 330 opposite theconductor 176 is coupled by a conducs tor 193 with the conductor 199 foralso operaing the soldout indicating lamp 322 when the supply of cupswithin assembly 24 has been exhausted, it being observed that, as willhereinafter become more apparent, the previously mentioned energizingcircuit for the sold-out lamp 322 becomes operative when the beveragematerial within neither of the product containers 18 and 20 has cooledto the predetermined temperature level necessary for closing of thecorresponding thermostatic switch 62 or 64.

The circuitry is completed by an energizing circuit for the timer motor202 traceable from the power terminal 100 through conductors 106 and170, normally closed timer switch 206, conductor 172 and the operatedphase of coin switch 304 (which prevails momentarily upon deposit of acoin) and a conductor 191 connected with one side of the holding relayoperating coil 312 which is oppositely grounded as at 189. A holdingcircuit for the holding relay operating coil 312 is provided by aconductor 187 coupled with the mentioned conductor 172 and thencethrough the holding relay switch 316 (which is closed when coil 312 ismomentarily energized), and a conductor 185 coupled with the conductor191 and the ungrounded side of operating coil 312.

The normally open phase of holding relay switch 314 is coupledoppositely to the conductor 174 through a conductor 183 With one side ofthe timer motor 202, which is oppositely grounded as at 181. A holdingcircuit for the timer motor 202 is established from the power terminal100 through the conductor 106, a conductor 179, the then closed timerswitch 204, a conductor 177, and the conductor 183 to the oppositelygrounded timer motor 202.

In operation, assuming that the product containers 18 and 20 have justbeen inserted into the compartment 14 and that the beverage materialwithin each of same is above the required low temperature levelnecessary for operation of the corresponding thermostatic switches 62and 64, the operating coils 80 and 92 of control relays 78 and 90respectively will remain deenergized and the switches of such controlswitches 78 and 90 in the normal positions thereof above-described. Insuch condition of the apparatus, neither of the control relay switches84 or 96 will be closed to complete the energizing circuit for the coinreject solenoids 306 and 308, and all coin receiving chutes of theapparatus will, therefore, be blocked. Also, the sold-out indicatinglamp 322 will be energized through a circuit traceable from powerterminal 100 through conductor 106, conductor 136, conductor 134, relayswitch 86, conductor 197, relay switch 98, and conductors 198 and 199 tothe oppositely grounded lamp 322. Should the supply of cups in the cupdispensing assembly 24 be exhausted, the sold-out lamp 322 wouldsimilarly be energized and the energizing circuits for the relaysolenoids 306 and 308 to block the coin chutes through the circuitsabove alluded to.

Next presume that one of the product containers 18 (although it couldobviously be either of same) reaches the low, desired level ofrefrigeration necessary to close the associated thermostatic switch 62.Closing of switch 62 will energize the operating coil 80 of the controlrelay 78 through a circuit traceable from power terminal 100 throughconductor 108, conductor 110, switch 62, conductor 112, counter switch66, conductor 116, relay switch 94 of control relay 90, and conductor118 to oppositely grounded relay coil 80. Energization of coil 80 opensits associated relay switch 82 thereby preventing energization of theoperating coil 92 of relay 90 through its corresponding circuit, eventhough the thermostatic switch 64 may subsequently close, until suchtime as the control relay 78 has been deenergized by opening of thecounter switch 66 as hereinafter mentioned.

With the control relay 78 thus energized, the apparatus is in conditionfor vending beverage from the product container 18. Upon deposit of acoin within the mechanism 300, the coin switch 304 will momentarilyshift to energize the operating coil 312 of the holding relay 310through a circuit traceable from the power terminal 100 throughconductor 106, conductor 170, then closed timer switch 206, conductor172, coin switch 304 and conductor 191 to oppositely grounded holdingrelay operating coil 312. The above-mentioned holding circuit for coil312'through relay switch 316 immediately takes over to maintain theoperating coil 312 energized so long as the timer switch 206 remainsclosed.

Energization of coil 312 shifts its associated relay switch 314 so that,upon return of the coin switch 304 to its normal condition, the timermotor 202 is energized through a circuit traceable from the powerterminal 100, through conductor 106, conductor 136, conductor 170, thenclosed timer switch 206, conductor 172, coin switch 304, conductor 174,then shifted holding relay switch 314 and conductor 183 to oppositelygrounded timer motor 202.

Upon energization of the timer motor 202 the switch 204 first closesestablishing a holding circuit for the energization of the timer motor202. Then, timer switch 206 opens, breaking the holding circuit for theholding relay 310 and deenergizing the coil 312 thereof. Then, timerswitch 212 closes momentarily long enough to energize the cup droppingsolenoid 220 and immediately reopens. Next, the timer switches 214 and216 close substantially simultaneously to energize the operatingsolenoids 40 and 44 of valves 38 and 42 respectivelyto open the latter.Then, timer switch 208 closes for a predetermined length of time toenergize the operating solenoid 48 of the dispensing valve 47 for thatinterval necessary to dispense a predetermined quantity of beveragematerial from the spigot 22, the pertinent energizing circuit being frompower terminal 100 through conductor 106, conductor 136, conductor 152,then closed timer switch 208, conductor 150, still closed timer switch210, and conductor 148 to the oppositely grounded dispensing solenoid48. After the predetermined dispensing interval, switch 208 opens, thentimer switch 210 closes and timer switches 214 and 216 open, then timerswitch 206 closes and timer switch 204 opens, at which time the timer200 has completed its cycle and all of its switches 204-216 havereturned to their normal stand-by condition.

It will be noted that at the same time that the cup dropper solenoid 220was energized by a pulse resulting from the momentary closing of timerswitch 212, the operating solenoid 70 of the counter device 68 waspulsed or actuated to record the dispensing of one portion of beveragefrom the product container 18 through a circuit traceable from conductor156, through conductor 160, then closed relay switch 88, and conductor166 to oppositely grounded counter operating solenoid 70.

After the counter operating solenoid 70 has been actuated or pulsed apredetermined number of times it opens its associated counter switch 66.Opening the counter switch 0 66 deenergizes the operating coil of thecontrol relay 78 by breaking the energizing circuit above traced forcoil 88, thereby preventing further energization of the valve solenoid40 or opening of the valve 38 associated with the delivery line section30 coupled with the'prodnct container 18.

At this time, if the material within product container 20 has not beencooled sufficiently to close thermostatic switch 64, the apparatus willreturn to its sold-out condition above-described.

If, however, the thermostaticf switch 64 has been closed by the materialwithin the to the corresponding circuits above traced in connection withthe product container 18.

It will now be apparent that this invention is ideally adapted foraccomplishing all of the above-mentioned and other objects thereof. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that certainminor modifications and changes could be made from the exact structuredisclosed as preferred for illustrative purposes without departing fromthe true spirit or intention of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention shall be understood as limited only by the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for bringing the temperature of fluid material within abulk container therefor from an ambient level normally characterizingthe material prior to introduction thereof into the apparatus to adifferent, desired level and for delivering the material from thecontainer only when the temperature thereof has been brought to saiddesired level, the combination of: means presenting a compartment havinga fluid medium therewithin, said compartment being adapted to receivetherewithin in heat exchanging relationship with the medium a thermallyconductive container with a quantity of said material therein whosetemperature when initially introduced into the compartment will normallybe at said ambient level; means, including an element in heat exchangingrelationship with the medium, for maintaining the temperature of themedium at a predetermined level at least as far removed from saidambient level as said desired level is and in the same direction; fluidhandling means adapted for effecting delivery of a quantity of saidmaterial to a location where same may be utilized; conduit means coupledwith the fluid handling means and adapted for coupling with thecontainer for carrying said material from the container to the fluidhandling means; electrically responsive valve means interposed in theconduit means; thermally responsive means adapted for operableassociation with the container and for responding to the temperature ofmaterial within the container, said thermally responsive means includinga thermostatically operable electrical switch adapted for automaticactuation whenever the temperature of the material within the containeris within a predetermined range including said desired level andexcluding said ambient level; and coupling means including an electricalcontrol circuit operably coupling said switch of the thermallyresponsive means with the valve means for controlling operation of thevalve means responsive to actuation of the thermally responsive means.

2. In apparatus for bringing the temperature of fluid material within atleast a pair of bulk containers therefor from an ambient level normallycharacterizing the material prior to introduction thereof into theapparatus to a different, desired level and for delivering the materialfrom said containers successively but only when the temperature thereofhas been brought to said desired level, the combination of: meanspresenting a compartment having a fluid medium therewithin, saidcompartment being adapted to receive therewithin in heat exchangingrelationship with the medium at least a pair of thermally conductivecontainers each with a quantity of said material therein whosetemperature when initially introduced into the compartment will normallybe at said ambient level; means, including an element in heat exchangingrelationhip with the medium, for maintaining the temperature of themedium at a predetermined level at least as far removed from saidambient level as said desired level is and in the same direction; tl-uidhandling means adapted for eflecting delivery of a quantity of saidmaterial to a location where same may be utilized; conduit means,including a common section coupled with the fluid handling means and abranch section for each container respectively coupled with the commonsection and adapted for coupling with the corresponding containtainer,for carrying said material from the containers to the fluid handlingmeans; electrically responsive control valve means for each branchsection respectively interposed in the latter; thermally responsivemeans for each container respectively adapted for operable associationwith the latter and for responding to the temperature of materal withinthe corresponding container, said thermally responsive means eachincluding a thermostatically opera ble electrical switch adapted forautomatic actuation whenever the temperature of the material within thecorresponding container is Within a predetermined range including saiddesired level and excluding said ambient level; an electricallyresponsive switching unit for each container respectively, each unitincluding an electrically responsive device and a number of controlswitches operably coupled with the device for operation when the latteris actuated; first electrical circuit means for each thermostatic switchrespectively coupling the same with the device of the corresponding unitfor controlling actuation of the latter, each of said first circuitmeans having coupled therein one of the control switches of each of theunits other than said corresponding unit, whereby the device of anygiven unit can be actuated only when the devices of all other units areunactuated; and second electrical circuit means for each control valvemeans respectively coupling the same with another of the controlswitches of the corresponding unit for operation of any given controlvalve means only when the device of the corresponding unit is actuated.

3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein is provided anelectrical empty switch for each first circuit means respectively andcoupled therein; and cut-off means for each container respectivelyresponsive to substantial exhaustion of said material from the latterand operably coupled with a corresponding empty switch for operating thelatter.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein is providedelectrically responsive dispensing valve means interposed in said commonsection; and third electrical circuit means coupled with the dispensingvalve means for controllably operating the latter.

5. in apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said cut-offmeans includes an electrically responsive counter; and fourth electricalcircuit means for actuation of any given counter whenever the dispensingvalve means is operated and the device of the corresponding unit isactuated.

6. in apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein is providedelectrically actuatable time switching means coupled with said thirdcircuit means for controlling energization of the latter.

7. In apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein is provided coinoperable switching mechanism coupled with the time switching means forcontrolling actuation of the latter.

References (lited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

